Talalla’s Handun Villas celebrated its third anniversary this month. Over the past few years, the boutique hotel has made a lasting impact on the small but vital coastal community of Talalla.
The inhabitants of the village not only make up a large percentage of the hotel staff but also continue to benefit and thrive from Handun Villas’ practice of sourcing food and other supplies from local farmers and vendors. In particular, the “Give Back to Talalla” initiative arranged by the hotel gives visitors a chance to interact with and become a part of the local community, even if only for a day or two.
With its Dutch-inspired architecture and surrounding coconut estate, the boutique hotel has been sought after by tourists, both local and foreign alike, for its honest representation of Sri Lankan village life. Guests can expect a traditional warm welcome at Handun Villas where they may feast on home-cooked meals, engage in peaceful outdoor yoga sessions and plan excursions to nearby heritage sites. With secluded beaches and an abundance of flora and fauna bursting with birdlife, Talalla and Handun Villas offers guests a quieter, more laid-back experience in comparison to some of the more well-known haunts “down South”.
This is not to say that Handun Villas hasn’t met with its fair share of setbacks. Earlier this year the country’s recovering tourism industry ground to a halt due to the ongoing worldwide pandemic (despite which the hotel managed to retain the entirety of its staff). Now as the country reawakens and people begin to venture out of town in search of new experiences, Handun Villas continues to work towards the future where it will continue to bring Sri Lankan culture, nature and heritage to the world. For more details visit www.handunvillas.com
http://www.ft.lk/travel-tourism/Handun-Villas-celebrates-third-anniversary/27-704436
